Coast Guard Closes Portion of Upper Mississippi

The Coast Guard yesterday has closed a portion of the Upper Mississippi River to all vessel traffic from mile markers 184 to 179, due to hazardous condition on the river near St. Louis.

Capt. Martin Malloy, Upper Mississippi River Captain of the Port, closed the portion of the river near MacArthur Bridge due to extremely high water levels and fast currents caused by a sudden increase in severe weather around the central United States.

Malloy, as Captain of the Port determines when to issue a river closure by following a Waterways Action Plan, which provides the marine industry, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments with a plan for facilitating the safe and orderly movement of traffic during extreme conditions on the inland rivers.

“Our foremost concerns are safety of life and navigation, protection of infrastructure and property, and to prevent marine casualties,” said Cmdr. Ryan Rhodes, deputy commander, Sector Upper Mississippi River.

According to the Coast Guard, restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.